Burnett makes Phillies debut against old friends

Phillies pitcher A.J. Burnett throws during practice last week in Clearwater, Fla. He made his spring training debut Sunday and pitched two innings against his old team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A.J. Burnett had words with Pedro Alvarez after he plunked the Pirates’ third baseman in the back leg with a pitch in the first inning of the Phillies’ 4-1 Grapefruit League loss at Bright House Field Sunday.

There was no need to worry about an escalation. The two were sharing a laugh.

“We used to always laugh because I would hit a lot of guys in the back foot, but they would swing,” Burnett said of the low-and-inside curve he throws to left-handed hitters. He always got a kick out of guys swinging and getting hit. So I said, ‘You should have swung, you could have been on a highlight reel … I need you to swing at that, it costs me another six or seven pitches.’”

Burnett’s first start with the Phillies in the Grapefruit League came against the team where he revived his career during the last two seasons. Those years with the Pirates earned him at least a $16 million payday from the Phillies last month, one that priced Pittsburgh out of keeping the 37-year-old right-hander.

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There might be some hard feelings for some in the Pirates organization about Burnett’s defection, but he remains appreciative of what those two seasons meant.

“It wasn’t weird,” said Burnett, who allowed one run in two innings. “It was just facing another team, and it happened to be those guys today. It was good to see them — definitely a tip of the cap. I always respect everyone and everything in this game. It doesn’t matter whom you play against. Any team I’ve played on or guys I’ve played with, you’re respectful of those guys. It was a good time.”

Burnett did say his preparation this spring did take on a new wrinkle Sunday. Whereas he usually spends his first one or two starts feeding hitters a steady diet of two- and four-seam fastballs, he came out of the gate using all his pitches.

“Usually I don’t throw a hook until like my third start,” Burnett said, “but I’ve been working on that and changeups, so I feel at the point where I can mix everything in earlier, rather than waiting.”

Ryne Sandberg thought Burnett showed a little rust, but that his arm was full of life. That comes as a relief for a team that would be in quite a predicament if not for the right-hander’s late signing.

“We have him,” Sandberg said, “so it was nice to see him out there pitching. No looking back there.

“He showed good velocity, good stuff, good movement. It was good to see him out there.”

Burnett said part of the reason he wanted to throw all his pitches is so he and catcher Carlos Ruiz could build a rapport early. Burnett actually credited another former Phillies catcher — Rod Barajas — for helping him commit to the two-seamer that he believes led to productive seasons in both Toronto and Pittsburgh.

Knowing what he does about Ruiz’s reputation, he believes there’s things to learn from him as well.

“Early in my career I didn’t watch (games) a lot,” Burnett said, “but as I got older … you start paying attention and he’s one of the guys I’ve watched for five or six years now. You pick up on those guys, Russell (Martin) was the same way. You watch them and think it would be fun to throw to those guys, so it was something I’ve been looking forward to.”

“That’s a veteran guy looking for any edge,” Sandberg said, “and for Chooch to team up with him and catch him every chance he gets, that’s two veterans going about it the right away. These spring training games and outings are big as far as that goes, when you have a new pitcher and catcher.”

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The Phillies got a scare in the fifth inning when Cody Asche took a fastball from erratic Yao-Hsun Yang in the right hand, forcing the young third baseman out of the game.

An ultrasound on the hand showed no clear damage, and Asche said after the hand initially blew up from swelling it had settled.

“You need these things to play,” Asche said, motioning to his hands.

Both teams had trouble with control on the mound. Burnett plunked two Pirates, while Pittsburgh pitchers hit four Phils. Asche will ice the hand and have it re-evaluated Monday.

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NOTES: Phillies outfield prospect Kelly Dugan is the son of Dennis Dugan, who has directed several comedy hits, including Happy Gilmore. So when comedian Jon Lovitz came to the game Sunday, it was like seeing an old friend. “He and my dad go play tennis sometimes,” Dugan said. “So, yeah, he’s a friend ... I was glad he got to come. He’s doing some stand-up in Tampa right now.” ... Sandberg had his first play that he considered one on which he’ll use a challenge once the replay system is implemented. In the first inning Freddy Galvis fielded a grounder up the middle and after missing with the first attempt to step on the bag he made an awkward stab with his foot that caught it just before Alvarez slid in. “The umpire told me that he missed the call once I got out there,” Sandberg said. “He was expecting Galvis to dive and tag it with the glove, and (when he went in) with the foot he lost track. So he missed it. That would be a challenge with Burnett pitching and a run (scoring) like that.” … Jonathan Papelbon had his first outing of the spring and pitched a scoreless frame. More importantly, his fastball hit 93 mph, a couple ticks higher than where he sat last season. “It looked like it had some giddy-up on it,” pitching coach Bob McClure said. “That was good to see.” … Tony Gwynn Jr. had two hits and reached base three times as he continues to get a long look … Top pitching prospect Jesse Biddle remained erratic, as he gave up three hits, a walk and two runs in two long innings … Left-hander Mario Hollands had another strong inning and is making an impression on the coaching staff with his life and movement on his pitches … The Phils travel to Port Charlotte to face the Rays Monday. Roberto Hernandez makes the start.